Print of Immanuel Lutheran Church, 1971. From the SCHS Collections.
Early European American settlers in Spring Lake Township township included a group of Lutherans of German descent who came by way of Wisconsin, Indiana and Illinois. For their first ten years in Scott County, this group met for religious services in a log cabin in Bellefontaine - a settlement in the southeast corner of section five near Spring Lake. Lots were platted in Bellafontaine, and a few were sold, but it never grew into a town. These services were conducted by pastors riding circuit.
Eventually the congregation outgrew the cabin. On December 17th, 1870, 2.5 acres on the north bank of Fish Lake were purchased for a new church. They were sold by Henry and Ann McCartney for $37.50. The first pastor of the new church was Henry Raedeke from Carver who served for 15 years. Soon after his arrival, the first church was built on the site for appx. $1000.00
Over time, this structure became cramped as well, and in 1926 money was raised by the congregation for a new building which still serves today. The present church was built under Rev. Karl Schroeder and dedicated on May 9 1926. The dedication program included a supper cooked by the ladies of the congregation, and a performance by “a male quartet of fine male singers” iin German and English
A January 1926 article in the Jordan Independent describes Rev. Schroeder as an “energetic and popular pastor”, and the new church thusly” “Located on a south frontage, giving a fascinating view of the pretty sheet of water known as Fish Lake. It is of an architectural style very pleasing to the eye of the beholder.” The building site for the new church was The site was part of the homestead of Civil War Veteran David Maloney.
Fish Lake Immanuel Lutheran still welcomes worshipers Saturdays and Sundays in the historic 1926 church.